What is a Mirror Will and Who is it For?

When you are estate planning, writing a will is essential. Wills grant you peace of mind by assuring you that the correct people inherit your assets after your death. If you die without a will, then the law decides who inherits your estate, which could conflict with your personal preferences. Mirror wills can be a great option if you and your spouse are looking to have financial security and secure your assets after passing.

What is a mirror will?

Mirror wills are two separate wills for you and a partner that contain nearly identical information. The only differences between your individual wills are your names and perhaps small details about personal items.

If you and your partner have similar wishes and want to distribute your assets in the same way, you can have the same information in both of your wills instead of writing completely separate ones.

They are especially beneficial for unmarried couples or civil partners, who otherwise do not receive the same legal rights as married couples. They allow someone to pass everything to their partner after they pass away, and the surviving partner can, for example, then leave all assets to your children following their death.

Benefits of mirror wills:

• They can provide a more cost-effective option than writing individual wills, as the information is similar in each document
• There is more flexibility than a mutual will, as it can be edited depending on life circumstances

They may not suit everyone but our experienced team can help provide individual legal advice to couples as we appreciate that not all couples’ intentions are exactly the same.

To learn more about how we can assist you with your will, call us on 01604 60 95 60 or email us at info@dfalaw.co.uk to speak to our Wills, Trusts and Estates team.